summary: New research reveals the psychological and safety risks associated with forcibly separating people from their pets during crises such as domestic violence and natural disasters. This study highlights the deep emotional bond between humans and pets.
The lack of support services for both exacerbates the risks during a crisis. Key findings highlight the need for comprehensive crisis planning and support services that take into account the human-animal bond.
Important facts:
- The study reviewed 27 years of research, focusing on human-animal bonds in crisis situations such as domestic violence, homelessness, and natural disasters.
- Findings show that a lack of support services, including for pets, causes many people to delay or avoid seeking safety, putting them at risk for psychological distress and possible pet abuse and death. It shows that.
- Recommendations include incorporating pet considerations into domestic violence services, strengthening natural disaster evacuation plans to include pets, and ensuring pet-friendly accommodations for the homeless.
sauce: taylor & francis group
Pet owners who are forced to separate from their animals in crisis situations, including victims of domestic violence, suffer from a lack of support services needed to protect their pets.
These are the results of a new review of 27 years of international research published in a peer-reviewed journal. anthropozoanThis research reveals that when people face the threat of forcible separation from their pets, the risks to both their safety and psychological well-being are increased.
The results provide important insights to address challenges arising from domestic violence, homelessness, and natural disasters that can threaten the human-pet bond.
The new research, published today, was carried out in Australia by James Cook University PhD candidate Jasmine Montgomery and associate professors Janice Lloyd and Jianming Liang.
“Our findings reveal that strong emotional attachments between humans and animals can leave both vulnerable in situations where that bond is threatened,” lead author Montgomery said. Ms. explains.
“When people are forced to separate during crisis situations such as natural disasters, homelessness or domestic violence, there can be psychological distress and health risks, and well-being and safety are greatly affected. .
“Unfortunately, this study also confirmed that in cases of domestic violence, common outcomes for pets are abuse and death.”
The research team examined 42 studies on human-animal bonding and separation situations in scenarios involving domestic violence, homelessness, and natural disasters.
Ms Montgomery said their findings highlight that concerns for the safety and health of pets and a lack of support are key factors that deter people from fleeing their homes when affected by domestic violence. He said he is doing so.
“In many cases of domestic violence, there is evidence to suggest that people postpone separation to protect their pets,” she says.
“This is often due to a lack of shelter or housing available for pets, or a lack of trust in formal support systems that pets will not be separated.
“If threats are made against a pet, the victim may be lured back to the perpetrator, which also poses a significant risk to the victim’s safety.”
Natural disasters can be just as difficult, causing people to call back for their pets during dangerous times, or to stay home to protect their pets, putting themselves and others at risk.
The research reveals that human “superiority” and disparities over who is responsible for pet welfare are embedded in systemic support for people and their pets in need during a crisis. It means that there is.
Montgomery says that when planning for crisis situations and providing services to support victims during these times, we need to change our thinking to take into account the needs of pets and the complexities involved. Told.
“In many cases, we would expect people to choose human interests over animals at all costs, without considering the common bond between humans and animals,” she says.
“What we need to do is take pets and the value of pets seriously, and share that responsibility as a collective in our communities and ensure that pets are valued in the areas of policy development, legislation, service delivery and housing. It takes into account the needs of animals and helps prevent unacceptable outcomes such as animal abuse and death.”
To reduce the risks associated with forced separation, the team identified several key recommendations:
- Incorporating questions about pets into services that support the evacuation of women experiencing domestic violence. Provide housing for women, children, and pets together. We will strengthen collaboration with services that can support animals.
- Strengthen evacuation plans during natural disasters to include resources such as transportation and shelter for both people and pets.
- Make pet-friendly accommodation available to people experiencing homelessness.
This latest research serves as an important resource for professionals and organizations addressing the challenges posed by forced separations, providing a comprehensive overview of the human-animal bond and its impact on vulnerable individuals. To do.
However, the authors note that their focus on peer-reviewed articles in English, that diverse cultural perspectives may have been overlooked, and that the complexity of animal-related keywords may lead to the omission of relevant articles. It is emphasized that this study has certain limitations, including the gender.
About this psychology research news
author: Simon Wesson
sauce: taylor & francis group
contact: Simon Wesson – Taylor & Francis Group
image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Open access.
“An extensive review of forced isolation between humans and their animal companions” by Jasmine Montgomery et al. anthropozoan
abstract
An extensive review of forced separation between humans and their animal companions.
People often form strong emotional attachments to their companion animals. When this relationship is threatened by forced separation, people may risk their own safety and well-being to protect and live with their companion animals.
This scoping review maps the concept, evidence, and impact of forced separation between humans and their animal companions in the categories of domestic violence, homelessness, and natural disasters.
Five relevant databases were searched: Medline Ovid, Psycinfo, Scopus, CINAHL, and EMCARE Ovid. The analysis included 42 articles on human-animal bonding and separation situations, and found that animal death and loss were significant in all three of his categories of forced separation, devastating for companion animals. The results have become clear.
We found significant psychological distress and increased risks to safety for people in all three categories. Risks people took to avoid forced separation included failing to evacuate to safety during a natural disaster, delaying escape from an abusive relationship, and waiting for pet-friendly accommodations. This includes prolonged homelessness during the period. Responsibility (who is responsible for animals) and the cultural belief that human well-being is superior to animal well-being emerged as key themes.
This scoping review identified the scope and gaps in research evidence in the areas of domestic violence, health, homelessness, natural disasters, and animal welfare. It helps researchers, policy makers, and service providers working in these fields understand the characteristics and complexities of situations that force the separation of people and their companion animals in order to optimize support.
